IRIG: NYP jumps out of brain, article in Nature Medicine

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is a neurotransmitter with well-known function in the stimulation of food intake in the brain. In ob/ob mice, expression of NPY is increased in the brain and this increase contributes to hyperphagia, which leads to obesity in ob/ob mice on a regular diet. It is generally believed that NPY is expressed in the brain, and acts locally in the brain. In the current issue of Nature Medicine, a new study suggests that NPY is able to act in the adipose tissue for development of central obesity in stress condition, such as cold or aggression. This peripheral activity of NPY includes stimulation of proliferation and differentiation of preadipocytes, promotion of angiogenesis and inhibition of lipolysis in adipose tissue. NYP is found to be released from sympathetic nerves in response to the stress. The study suggests a novel function of NPY. Attached is the paper and commentary.
 
This paper is also recommended by Drs. Eric Ravussin and Vishwa Dixit at PBRC.   
 
By Jianping at PBRC

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Jianping Ye, MD
Professor of Molecular Biology
Pennington Biomedical Research Center
Louisiana State University System
6400 Perkins Road
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
Phone: (225) 763-3163
Fax: (225) 763-2525
E-mail:
yej@pbrc.edu
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